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Civil Partnerships pass in the Seanad

I’m sure we all have our opinions about the Civil Partnership bill, but it’s good to see a step in the right direction towards equal rights for all couples and their families. But the Seanad passed the Civil Partnership bill 48 votes to 4 in favour. The bill will now go to President Mary McAleese, who can either sign it into law or send it to the Supreme Court for a constitutionality check. It’s expected that the first Civil Partnership registrations will take place from next January, according to the Irish Times.

As a friend of mine put it recently, “at least this discrimination is better than the current discrimination”, which is a nice reminder that although this is a step in the right direction, we still have some way to go before we’re all treated equally under the law.

One Response to “Civil Partnerships pass in the Seanad”

  1. On July 20, 2010 at 5:04 pm eamon responded with... #

    The Civil Partnership bill was signed into Law by President Mary McAleese on Monday:

    “While the Bill has now been enacted, it cannot fully commence until commensurate changes take place in social welfare, tax and pensions legislation.

    Those changes are likely to be made in the Finance Bill and Social Welfare Bill drafted following December’s budget.

    The changes will pave the way for the first civil partnership registrations to take place in January next year.

    Gay and lesbian couples will benefit from the same rights as married couples in the areas of property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pensions and tax.
    [..]

    The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 is expected to be commenced when those changes take effect, allowing the first registrations in January 2011.“

    Basically, Civil Partnerships will most likely begin to take place from next January :)

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